Page 80 of The Twisted Throne

Her guards took her to a private dining room, and when the doors opened, she was relieved to discover only the three royal siblings were inside. James appeared unmoved by however events in Marickshire had gone, only lifting one eyebrow at the sight of her, his scrutiny making her want to melt into the floor, given what she’d just been doing. William only gave her a dazzling smile, abandoning his seat to escort her to her chair. In heels, shetowered over him, and Ahnna instantly regretted not wearing her flat silk slippers, even if they were covered with stains from the stable yard.

“Ahnna,” Virginia said, frowning. “I hear the rustle of satin. What are you wearing?”

“A new gown.” Ahnna’s cheeks burned, and she suspected she looked as foolish as she felt.

“Which dressmaker?” Her bottom lip pressed out. “And why didn’t they visit me?”

With every second that passed, wearing the dress felt like a bigger mistake. “Hazel selected it from a modiste in Verwyrd. Something already made, I believe.”

“I’m sure it’s lovely.” Virginia smiled. “James, do describe it for me. You’ve an eye for detail.”

He eyed Ahnna over the rim of his wineglass. “Raspberry cream puff.”

Though she hadn’t thought it possible, her whole body flamed hotter, his comment made even worse by the fact she’d not long ago been pleasuring herself to visions of him like the idiot she was.

“Ignore him,” William said. “Jamie wouldn’t know style if it slapped him in the face. His uniform is the only item of color in his wardrobe, and I think if he had his way, he’d change Harendell’s colors to black so as to expunge color from his wardrobe entirely.”

“I’ve already petitioned Father for it,” James said. “Denied.”

The trio laughed, and Ahnna took a sip of her wine, trying to relax. Which was a challenge, given the corset barely allowed her to breathe. What cleavage she had jutted almost to her chin, she was laced so tightly.

“I heard that William gave you a horse,” Virginia said. “And that Jamie is teaching you to ride. You’re in good hands—he’s an excellent rider.”

God help her, but Ahnna knew too well what it was like to be in James’s hands. “Given I only managed to sit on my horse’s back for all of a second before he tossed me in the dirt, I need all the training I can get.”

“Oh dear.” Virginia motioned to the servants to begin serving dinner. “What horse did you give her, Will?”

“His idiot racehorse,” James answered sourly. “The creature has a brain the size of a walnut.”

“Oh, really?” Virginia said. “I thought Dippy had another year at the track?”

“You’re mistaken,” Will said. “Aged out. But he’s handsome and tall, so I thought he was a good fit for Ahnna. Fast, too, and I can’t imagine that a woman capable of guiding a ship through a storm would want a slow steed.” He winked at Ahnna.

“That horse would run straight off a cliff,” James said, glowering at his wine. “Daisy would be a better mount to learn on, but Ahnna wouldn’t listen to reason.”

“You didn’t attempt to reason with me,” Ahnna said. “Only told me what you thought I should do. I disagreed.”

“I don’t blame you, Ahnna. Daisy’s barely more than a pony,” Will said. “And she’s the slowest horse in the stables.”

“She’s not,” Virginia protested. “Daisy is the sweetest. But Maven would be the better choice, Jamie. Best-trained horse in the stable, plus she’s quick.”

“Maven’s mine.”

Virginia rolled her eyes. “Never learned to share.”

“Ahnna will master Dippy, I’m sure of it,” William said. “Mark my words, she’ll be galloping across the countryside within the week.”

“I’m a quick study.” Ahnna took another sip of her wine. “Where are the king and queen this evening?”

William yawned. “They left for Whitewood Hall for the hunts.”

What?

“It’s a three-day journey north of Verwyrd,” Virginia said. “I believe they left while you were at the quay. I’d normally travel with them, but Mother wished for me to remain with you.”

“I would have traveled with them as well,” Ahnna said, still unsure whether this development was good or bad, but understanding very clearly that the timing of their departure had been no accident.

“Given the attempt on your life, it wasn’t deemed safe for you to be on the road,” Virginia said. “Better for you to remain in the Sky Palace, where it’s easy to control who comes and goes.”

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